A Moro something???

CharlesS · 2nd February 2014, 06:13 PM

I doubt these were influenced by anything the Moros would have run into from other Pacific cultures, but I wonder if they saw some value in the curved swords of Muslim traders they would have encountered like shamshirs or tulwars? They may also have been influenced by curved European swords. Clearly these were never preferred over the beloved kriss or barong, as they show up so rarely by comparison, but it is interesting that they are seen from time to time, and that in many cases a lot of trouble has been made to "Moro-ize" them. Some even seem to have status mounts.

Based on the few I have seen, they are a Philippine phenomenon and not Malay, but perhaps someone has some evidence otherwise??

Nirghosa · 3rd February 2014, 11:05 PM

What did it go for may I ask?

Maurice · 4th February 2014, 10:40 AM

I have no doubt it is a very old one whatso-ever!
A great and rare piece, worth bidding on when I knew about it before....

Maurice

kino · 5th February 2014, 01:41 AM

I find this sword intriguing.
When a couple from Bakas Pilipinas were in Seattle conducting their research, I was asked to accompany them to the Burke Museum,where I handled one with a similar blade profile, it was very light, but I couldn't give it a good swing.

Maybe the reason why there are not very many of them is because the blades were not easy to come by. I don't think this might have been the primary go to weapon, just to wear, when one is about town with the boys. Could they be just made for people that were on the upper rungs of the ladder, which they could afford more than one sword?
I would love to see a photo of a Moro with one of these type of swords on their side.
Here is a photo of a Sultan with a western style uniform and sword.

5th February 2014, 01:41 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	I find this sword intriguing. When a couple from Bakas Pilipinas were in Seattle conducting their research, I was asked to accompany them to the Burke Museum,where I handled one with a similar blade profile, it was very light, but I couldn't give it a good swing. Maybe the reason why there are not very many of them is because the blades were not easy to come by. I don't think this might have been the primary go to weapon, just to wear, when one is about town with the boys. Could they be just made for people that were on the upper rungs of the ladder, which they could afford more than one sword? I would love to see a photo of a Moro with one of these type of swords on their side. Here is a photo of a Sultan with a western style uniform and sword. Attached Images

2nd February 2014, 06:13 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I doubt these were influenced by anything the Moros would have run into from other Pacific cultures, but I wonder if they saw some value in the curved swords of Muslim traders they would have encountered like shamshirs or tulwars? They may also have been influenced by curved European swords. Clearly these were never preferred over the beloved kriss or barong, as they show up so rarely by comparison, but it is interesting that they are seen from time to time, and that in many cases a lot of trouble has been made to "Moro-ize" them. Some even seem to have status mounts. Based on the few I have seen, they are a Philippine phenomenon and not Malay, but perhaps someone has some evidence otherwise??

3rd February 2014, 11:05 PM	#2
Nirghosa Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 119	What did it go for may I ask?

4th February 2014, 10:40 AM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	I have no doubt it is a very old one whatso-ever! A great and rare piece, worth bidding on when I knew about it before.... Maurice